Experiences of Patients Who Developed Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy: Focus Group Study

Abstract

Objective:The study was performed to determine the experiences of patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Method: A qualitative research method was used in the study. Data were collected from 44 patients who developed and continued experiencing urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy by using focus group interviews. Data were collected in a public hospital between April 2014 and March 2015 using a semi-structured interview form. Study data were examined using content and thematic analyses. Ethics committee approval was obtained to conduct the study. Results: Of all the patients included in the study, 54.5% were aged 65 years or older, 86.4% were married. As a result of focus group discussions, four main themes and 12 subthemes were determined. The four main themes; identified are unpleasant job, half-a man, social interactions, and surviving as a great prize. Conclusions: Urinary incontinence, causes men to experience physical, psychological and social challenges during daily life. The patients reported that felt the need to receive information and support in coping with the difficulties they experienced postoperatively